Rotary engine

ABSTRACT

An improved, dynamically balanced rotary engine comprising a cylindrical chamber having at least two intercommunicating, coplaner, substantially identical, sector-shaped (in cross section) sub-chambers which are equally spaced about and from the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical chamber. At least two, substantially identical rotors are mounted in the cylindrical chamber, with a rotor being mounted in each of the sub-chambers. The axis of rotation of the rotors are equi-spaced from each other and are equally, eccentrically spaced from the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical chamber. Each rotor includes a wall portion having curved, peripheral surface which has a radius of curvature having a length substantially equal to, but slightly less than the length of the sub-chamber radius and which has a center of curvature located on the axis about which the rotor rotates. Novel slider assemblies are positioned and extend between the adjacent leading and trailing ends of the peripheral surfaces of adjacent pairs of rotors. The slider assemblies and the curved peripheral surfaces of the rotors define a continuous, generally annular working chamber about the cylindrical chamber and adjacent to the cylinder wall of the cylindrical chamber. The slider assemblies rotate with and move with respect to the rotors and prevent working fluid in the working chamber from passing radially inwardly between the leading and trailing ends of adjacent pairs of rotors. When operated as an internal combustion engine, the improved engine may also include an interior chamber. The outer dimensions of this interior chamber are defined by the wall portions of the rotors and the slider assemblies. As the rotors rotate in the cylindrical chamber, the volume of this interior chamber varies so that this chamber can be utilized to pre-compress the working fluid prior to its introduction into the working chamber.

' United States Patent Zarnoti Nov. 11, 1975 ROTARY ENGINE substantiallyidentical rotors are mounted in the cylin- [76] Inventor. Sandor JZamofi 8510 Bruce drical chamber, with a rotor being mounted in each ofNiles HI '60648 the sub-chambers. The axis of rotation of the rotors areequi-spaced from each other and are equally, ec- I Filed! J e 2, 1974centrically spaced from the central longitudinal axis of 21 N 4 thecylindrical chamber. Each rotor includes a wall 1 0 78,593 portionhaving curved, peripheral surface which has a Related US. ApplicationData radius of curvature having a length substantially equal [63]Continuation of Ser. No. 291,053, Sept. 21, 1972, o, but slightly lessthan the length of the sub-chamber abandoned. radius and which has acenter of curvature located on the axis about which the rotor rotates.

[52] 418/191; 123/845; 418/270 Novel slider assemblies are positionedand extend [5 l] Ilit. Cl. F02B 53/00 between the adjacent leading and ii ends f h [58] Fleld g g $4 52 peripheral surfaces of adjacent pairs ofrotors.

The slider assemblies and the curved peripheral [56] References Citedsurfaces of the rotors define a continuous, generally annular workingchamber about the cylindrical UNITED STATES PATENTS chamber and adjacentto the cylinder wall of the 2,461,073 2/1949 MOUIIOII 418/36 ylindricalhamber The slider assemblies rotate with FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONSand move with respect to the rotors and prevent 633 877 10/1927 France418/54 working fluid in the working chamber from passing PrimaryE.\'mninerC. J. Husar Assistant Examiner-Michael Koczo, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Molinare, Allegretti, Newitt & Witcoff 5 7]ABSTRACT An improved, dynamically balanced rotary engine comprising acylindrical chamber having at least two intercommunicating, coplaner,substantially identical, sector-shaped (in cross section) sub-chamberswhich are equally spaced about and from the centrallongitudinal axis ofthe cylindrical chamber. At least two,

,IHII ill! 76 ixttgy radially inwardly between the leading and trailingends of adjacent pairs of rotors.

When operated as an internal combustion engine, the improved engine mayalso include an interior chamber. The outer 'dimensions of this interiorchamber are defined by the wall portions of the rotors and the sliderassemblies. As the rotors rotate in the cylindrical chamber. the volumeof this interior chamber varies so that this chamber can be utilized topre-compress the working fluid prior to its introduction into theworking chamber.

33 Claims, 76 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 2 of 203,918,860

FIGS H66 US. Patent 'Nov.11,l975 Sheet3of20 3,918,860

US. Patent Nov. 11,1975 Sheet4 of 20 3,918,860

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 5 of 20 3,918,860

FIGZZ FIGZB US. Patent Nov. 11,1975 Sheet7 of 20 3,918,860

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 8 of 20 3,918,860

US. Patent Nov. 11,1975 Sheet 9 of 20 3,918,860

US. atent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 10 of 20 3,918,860

US. Patent N0v.11, 1975 Sheet110f20 3,918,866

FIG.42 70 US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 12 of 20 3,918,860

Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 13 of 20 3,918,860

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 15 of 20 3,918,860

FOUR CYCLE. Two TYURNS.

' COMPRESSION US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 16 of 20 3,918,860

INDUCTION COMPRESSION CHARGE TRANSFER PPE FIGBZ COMPRESSION IGNITIONEXHAUST US. Patent Nbv.11,1975 Sheet 17 0120 3,918,860

US. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 18 of 20 3,918,860

FIG. 65

SHAFT POSITION FIG..66

COM PRESSIO? R M EE ilL 6F u RS AN C R fi U A w W x S M u M W P z N 9 Win w 4 K g u E P J a .2 u

SHAFT POSITION

1. An improved balanced, rotary engine having a cycle which includes thefour phases of intake, compression, expansion and exhaust, the enginecomprising: housing means including at least one outer body, a cylinderwall in the housing body defining a generally cylindrical chamber in theouter body, and plate members which are adapted to close the ends ofsaid cylindrical chamber; said cylindrical chamber having a central,longitudinal axis and being comprised of at least twointer-communicating, coplanar, substantially, identical sub-chambers,said sub-chambers each having a center axis which is parallel to saidlongitudinal axis and having, in a plane perpendicular to saidlongitudinal axis, a sector-shaped cross-section, with said sector radiiof said sub-chambers being of equal length, and with said center axes ofsaid sub-chambers being equi-spaced from each other about saidlongitudinal axis and being equally eccentrically spaced from saidlongitudinal axis a distance less than the length of said sector radii;rotor means including at least two, substantially, identical rotorspositioned in said chamber and adapted to rotate in said chamber in aplane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, with the number of rotorsin said chamber being equal to the number of said sub-chambers, and witha rotor being mounted in each of said sub-chambers so that the rotor mayrotate in said chamber about the said center axis of said sub-chamberand may move with respect to the other rotors in said chambers; each ofthe rotors including a wall portion that has a leading end, a trailingend, and a curved, radially outwardly directed surface which ispositioned adjacent to the cylinder wall of the housing when the rotoris mounted in said chamber, with the radius of curvature of said curvedsurface being substantially equal to said sector radii, and the centerof curvature of said curved surface coinciding with said center axis insaid subchamber in which the rotor is mounted whereby a variable volumeworking chamber is defined between said curved surfaces of the rotorsand the cylinder wall of the housing during rotation of the rotors insaid chamber; means for selectively permitting ingress and egress aworking fluid into and out of said working chamber; and means forpreventing working fluid in said working chamber from passing radiallyinwardly from said working chamber, between the wall portions ofadjacent pairs of rotors, to the interior of said chamber duringrotation of the rotors in said chamber.
 2. The improved rotary enginedescribed in claim 1 wherein power shaft means extends thRough saidchamber and through an aperture in at least one of the plate members;wherein the longitudinal axis of the shaft means coincides with saidlongitudinal axis; and wherein the shaft means is operatively connectedwith the rotors and rotates therewith.
 3. The improved rotary enginedescribed in claim 1 wherein working fluid seal means is positionedbetween the sides of the curved wall portions of the rotors and themembers adjacent to the sides of the curved wall portions for forming aseal therebetween as the rotors rotate in said chamber; and wherein thecurved surface of the wall portion of each rotor is continuous betweenthe leading and trailing ends thereof.
 4. The improved rotary enginedescribed in claim 1 wherein the radius of curvature of said curvedsurfaces of the rotors are substantially equal to, but shorter in lengththan, said sector radii of said sub-chambers so that at least a portionof said working chamber exists between said curved surfaces and thecylinder wall regardless of the positions of the rotors with respect tothe cylinder wall of said chamber and so that although the radialthickness of said working chamber varies as the rotors rotate, saidworking chamber is generally annular in shape about the periphery ofsaid chamber.
 5. The improved rotary engine described in claim 1 whereinthe means for preventing working fluid from passing between the trailingand leading ends of the wall portions of adjacent pairs of rotorsincludes at least two assemblies which are positioned within saidchamber so that an assembly is positioned between the leading andtrailing ends of each of adjacent pairs of rotors; wherein each assemblyextends between the trailing and leading ends of the wall portions ofthe adjacent pairs of rotors: and wherein the assemblies rotate with therotors and move with respect to the wall portions of the rotors duringrotation of the rotors in said chamber.
 6. The improved rotary enginedescribed in claim 5 wherein each assembly includes two members, each ofwhich member have a first surface and a second surface thereon; andwherein during rotation of the rotors, said first surface of one of themembers is in contact with the wall portion of one of the pair ofrotors, said first surface of the other member is in contact with thewall portion of the other of the pair of rotors and said second surfaceof the one member is in contact with said second surface of the othermember.
 7. The improved rotary engine described in claim 6 wherein saidfirst surfaces of the members are in relative sliding contact with thewall portions of the pair of adjacent rotors, adjacent to the leadingand trailing ends thereof: wherein said second surfaces of the membersare in sliding contact with each other; and wherein during rotation ofthe rotors in said chamber, said sliding contact between said secondsurfaces of the members is in a plane including said longitudinal axis.8. The improved rotary engine described in claim 7 wherein each assemblyhas bearing means between the members to facilitate sliding contactbetween said second surfaces of the members: wherein the bearing meansrotates with the members and about said longitudinal axis: and whereinsealing means is disposed between said first surfaces of the members andthe respective wall portions of the pair of adjacent rotors.
 9. Theimproved rotary engine described in claim 7 wherein the radially innerends of the members of each assembly are operatively connected with theradially inner ends of the members of each other assembly in saidchamber; wherein sealing means is disposed between said first surfacesof the members and the respective wall portions of the pair of rotors;and wherein in each assembly, said second surfaces of the members arerelatively flat and are in surface-to-surface sliding contact.
 10. Theumproved rotary engine described in claim 1 wherein said chamberincludes an interior chamber spaced radially inwardly from said workingchamber anD defined in said chamber by the means for preventing workingfluid from passing between the trailing and leading ends of the wallportions of adjacent pairs of rotors and by the wall portions of therotors so that rotation of the rotors in said chamber causes the volumeof said interior chamber to vary; and wherein valve means permit theselective ingress of working fluid into said interior chamber and theselective egress of working fluid from said interior chamber to saidworking chamber during rotation of the rotors.
 11. The improved rotaryengine described in claim 10 wherein working fluid seal means segregatessaid working chamber from said interior chamber; wherein the secondvalve means selectively permits ingress of working fluid into saidinterior chamber when the volume of said interior chamber is relativelylarge and selectively permits egress of working fluid from said interiorchamber when the volume of said interior chamber is relatively small sothat said interior chamber acts to pre-compress working fluid therein.12. The improved rotary engine described in claim 1 wherein the meansfor selectively permitting ingress and egress of working fluid includesat least one valve plate positioned adjacent to one end of said chamber.13. The improved rotary engine described in claim 12 wherein the valveplate is positioned adjacent to the one side of the rotors and betweenthe one side of the rotors and one of the plate members; and wherein theone plate member includes inlet and exhaust manifold means forcooperation with the valve plate.
 14. The improved rotary enginedescribed in claim 13 wherein the valve plate rotates with the rotorsand about said longitudinal axis so that relative, radial movementoccurs between the rotors and the valve plate during rotation thereof;and wherein working fluid seal means are positioned between the onesides of the rotors and the adjacent side of the valve plate for forminga dynamic seal therebetween.
 15. The improved rotary engine described inclaim 1 wherein said chamber includes at least three sub-chambers; andwherein at least three rotors are positioned for rotation within saidchamber.
 16. The improved rotary engine described in claim 1 whereinsaid chamber includes at least four sub-chambers; and wherein at leastfour rotors are positioned for rotation within said chamber.
 17. Theimproved rotary engine described in claim 1 wherein said chamberincludes a first and a second sub-chamber; and wherein a first and asecond rotor are positioned in said chamber, with the first rotor beingpositioned in said first sub-chamber for rotation about the center axisof said first sub-chamber and with the second rotor being positioned insaid second sub-chamber for rotation about the center axis of saidsecond sub-chamber.
 18. The improved rotary engine described in claim 17wherein the radius of curvature of said curved surfaces of the first andsecond rotors are substantially equal to, but shorter in length than,said sector radii of the first and second sub-chambers so that at leasta portion of said working chamber exists between said curved surfacesand the cylinder wall regardless of the positions of the first andsecond rotors with respect to the cylinder wall of said chamber and sothat although the radial thickness of said working chamber varies as therotors rotate, said working chamber is generally annular in shape aboutthe periphery of said chamber.
 19. The improved rotary engine describedin claim 17 wherein said working fluid is a combustible gaseous mixture;wherein said chamber includes an interior chamber spaced radiallyinwardly from said working chamber and defined in said chamber by themeans for preventing working fluid from passing between the trailing andleading ends of the wall portions of the first and second rotors and bythe wall portions of the rotors so that rotation of the first and secondrotors in said chamber causes the volume of the interior chamber tovary; and wheRein valve means permit the selective ingress of workingfluid into said interior chamber and the selective egress of workingfluid from said interior chamber to said working chamber during rotationof the first and second rotors.
 20. The improved rotary engine describedin claim 19 wherein working fluid seal means segregates said workingchamber from said interior chamber; wherein the second valve meansselectively permits ingress of working fluid into said interior chamberwhen the volume of said interior chamber is relatively large andselectively permits egress of working fluid from said interior chamberwhen the volume of said interior chamber is relatively small so thatsaid interior chamber acts to pre-compress working fluid therein. 21.The improved rotary engine described in claim 17 wherein the means forpreventing working fluid from passing between the trailing and leadingends of the wall portions of the first and second rotors includes afirst and second assembly positioned within said chamber for rotationtherein, with the first assembly being positioned adjacent to the oneset of leading and trailing ends of the first and second rotors and withthe second assembly being positioned adjacent to the other set ofleading and trailing ends of the rotors; wherein the first and secondassemblies extend between the wall portions of the first and secondrotors and move with respect to the wall portions during rotation of therotors in said chamber; wherein each of the first and second assembliesincludes two members, with each of which members having a first surfaceand a second surface; and wherein for each of the first and secondassemblies, said first surface of one of the members is in contact withthe wall portion of the first rotor, said first surface of the othermember is in contact with the wall portion of the second rotor and saidsecond surface of the one member is in contact with said second surfaceof the other member.
 22. The improved rotary engine described in claim21 wherein said first surfaces of the members are in relative slidingcontact with the wall portions of the first and second rotors, adjacentto the leading and trailing ends thereof; wherein said second surfacesof the members are in sliding contact with each other; and whereinduring rotation of the first and second rotors in said chamber, saidsliding contact between said second surfaces of the members is in aplane including said longitudinal axis.
 23. The improved rotary enginedescribed in claim 22 wherein the first and second assemblies includebearing means between the members to facilitate the sliding contactbetween said second surfaces of the members; wherein the bearing meansrotates with the members and about said longitudinal axis; whereinsealing means is disposed between said first surfaces of the members andthe respective wall portions of the first and second rotors; wherein theradially inner ends of the members of the first assembly are operativelyconnected with the radially inner ends of the members of the secondassembly adjacent to the longitudinal axis; and wherein said secondsurfaces of the members are relatively flat and are insurface-to-surface sliding contact.
 24. The improved rotary enginedescribed in claim 17 wherein working fluid seal means is positionedbetween the sides of the curved wall portions of the first and secondrotors and the members adjacent to the sides of the curved wall portionsfor forming a seal therebetween as the rotors rotate in said chamber;wherein the curved surface of the wall portions of the first and secondrotors is continuous between the leading and trailing ends thereof;wherein power shaft means extends through said chamber and through anaperature in at least one of the plate member; wherein the longitudinalaxis of the shaft means conincides with said longitudinal axis; andwherein the shaft means is operatively connected with the rotors androtates therewith.
 25. The improved rotary engine described In claim 17wherein the means for preventing working fluid from passing between thetrailing and leading ends of the wall portions of the first and secondrotors includes a first and second assembly positioned within saidchamber for rotation therein, with the first assembly being positionedadjacent to the one set of leading and trailing ends of the first andsecond rotors and with the second assembly being positioned adjacent tothe other set of leading and trailing ends of the rotors; wherein thefirst and second assemblies extend between the wall portions of thefirst and second rotors and move with respect to the wall portionsduring rotation of the rotors in said chamber; wherein each of the firstand second assemblies includes two members, with each of which membershaving a first surface and a second surface; and wherein for each of thefirst and second assemblies, said first surface of one of the members isin contact with the wall portion of the first rotor, said first surfaceof the other member is in contact with the wall portion of the secondrotor and said second surface of the one member is in contact with saidsecond surface of the other member.
 26. The improved rotary enginedescribed in claim 25 wherein said first surfaces of the members are inrelative sliding contact with the wall portions of the first and secondrotors, adjacent to the leading and trailing ends thereof; wherein saidsecond surfaces of the members are in sliding contact with each other;and wherein during rotatin of the first and second rotors in saidchamber, said sliding contact between said second surfaces of themembers is in a plane including said longitudinal axis.
 27. The improvedrotary engine described in claim 26 wherein the first and secondassemblies includes bearing means between the members to facilitate thesliding contact between said second surfaces of the members; wherein thebearing means rotates with the members and about said longitudinal axis;wherein sealing means is disposed between said first surfaces of themembers and the respective wall portions of the first and second rotors;wherein the radially inner ends of the members of the first assembly areoperatively connected with the radially inner ends of the members of thesecond assembly adjacent to the longitudinal axis; and wherein saidsecond surfaces of the members are relatively flat and are insurface-to-surface sliding contact.
 28. The improved rotary enginedescribed in claim 26 wherein the means for selectively permittingingress and egress of working fluid includes at least one valve platepositioned adjacent to one end of said chamber; wherein the valve plateis positioned adjacent to the one side of the rotors and between therotors and one of the plate members; and wherein the one plate memberincludes inlet and exhaust manifold means for cooperation with the valveplate.
 29. The improved rotary engine described in claim 28 wherein thevalve plate rotates with the rotors and about said longitudinal axis sothat relative radial movement occurs between the rotors and the valveplate during rotation thereof; and wherein working fluid seal means arepositioned between the one side of the rotors and the adjacent side ofthe valve plate for forming a dynamic seal therebetween.
 30. Theimproved rotary engine described in claim 28 wherein working fluid sealmeans is positioned between the sides of the curved wall portions of thefirst and second rotors and the members adjacent to the sides of thecurved wall portions for forming a seal therebetween as the rotorsrotate in said chamber; wherein the curved surface of the wall portionsof the first and second rotors is continuous between the leading andtrailing ends thereof; wherein power shaft means extends through saidchamber and through an aperture in at least one of the plate member;wherein the longitudinal axis of the shaft means coincides with saidlongitudinal axis; and wherein the shaft means is operatively connectedwith the rotors anD rotates therewith.
 31. The improved rotary enginedescribed in claim 30 wherein said working fluid is a combustiblegaseous mixture; wherein said chamber includes an interior chamberspaced radially inwardly from said working chamber and defined in saidchamber by the means for preventing working fluid from passing betweenthe trailing and leading ends of the wall portions of the first andsecond rotors and by the wall portions of the rotors so that rotation ofthe first and second rotors in said chamber causes the volume of theinterior chamber to vary; and wherein valve means permit the selectiveingress of working fluid into said interior chamber and the selectiveegress of working fluid from said interior chamber to said workingchamber during rotation of the first and second rotors.
 32. The improvedrotary engine described in claim 31 wherein working fluid seal meanssegregates said working chamber from said interior chamber; and whereinthe second valve means selectively permits ingress of working fluid intosaid interior chamber when the volume of said interior chamber isrelatively large and selectively permits egress of working fluid fromsaid interior chamber when the volume of said interior chamber isrelatively small so that said interior chamber acts to pre-compressworking fluid therein.
 33. The improved rotary engine described in claim31 wherein the first and second assemblies includes bearing meansbetween the members to facilitate the sliding contact between saidsecond surfaces of the members; wherein the bearing means rotates withthe members and about said longitudinal axis; wherein said sealing meansis disposed between said first surfaces of the members and therespective wall portions of the first and second rotors; wherein theradially inner ends of the members of the first assembly are operativelyconnected with the radially inner ends of the members of the secondassembly adjacent to the longitudinal axis; wherein said second surfacesof the members are relatively flat and are in surface-to-surface slidingcontact; wherein the valve plate rotates with the rotors and about saidlongitudinal axis so that relative radial movement occurs between therotors and the valve plate during rotation thereof; wherein workingfluid seal means are positioned between the one side of the rotors andthe adjacent side of the valve plate for forming a dynamic sealtherebetween; wherein working fluid seal means segreates said workingchamber from said interior chamber; and wherein the valve meansselectively permits ingress of working fluid into said interior chamberwhen the volume of said interior chamber is relatively large andselectively permits egress of working fluid from said interior chamberwhen the volume of said interior chamber is relatively small so thatsiad interior chamber acts to precompress working fluid therein.